"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible."

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Food Babble

So today is Day 3 of serious calorie counting, no point-mumbo-jumbo ~ and I have a few thoughts (shocking, I know.)

First off, I feel absolutely FANTASTIC! I have been doing the *small meal deal* throughout the day ~ eating approximately every 3 hours like trainer woman instructed ~ and I haven’t been hungry one bit. On top of that, I have a lot of energy, which is the real bonus! So something is working internally ~ at least regarding the way my body seems to process this new schedule.

The only downside so far is that the scale hasn’t budged :( Well ~ okay, maybe some fluctuation between a pound or half a pound down from the weekend ~ but nothing to knock my socks off. I have been working out like a FIEND for the past week and a half, yet my scale refuses to acknowledge this. I know, I KNOW that some of it may have to do with muscle building, which I really feel is going on right now. My body just feels better, and yet I know it just takes time for everything to adjust. I can’t say that I’m not a wee bit disappointed (after all I told my trusty counterpart Viv that I was going to kick her tail in the Weight Loss Challenge), but I have no plans to change anything anytime soon. I am going to keep on keeping on ~ and hope the scale will end up in my favor.

Last night was Body Attack again with my good friend Elaine, and I just can’t keep saying enough good things about this class. It kicks my tail, but I *LOVE* it!!! It is surely going to remain a regular on my workout schedule!!!

I had so many great responses after my last post, that I feel compelled to respond to some ~ especially since a couple were questions….so here it goes:

a) Yes, I checked out both SparkPeople and the Daily Plate….and will probably sign up with one of those if I continue this calorie method. I’ve decided to give it a couple weeks (except when I am traveling, when I will most likely revert to points out of convenience) and then make a decision on my plan of attack for the rest of the summer.

b) I am in total agreement with how much brain power this calorie counting really takes!! I can already feel myself becoming slightly obsessed ~ but no more so than I was with calculating points back when I was on WW. For me, if the obsession takes the form of a constant awareness of what I put in my mouth ~ then I’m okay with it. At least for now ~ ask me again in a couple weeks ;)

c) Thanks for the snack ideas!! It is always good to have more options. Lately my snacks have been cottage cheese with fruit; a lowfat string cheese with a piece of fruit; a Fiber One bar and a yogurt….and a few other combos that I cant remember right now.

d) Protein. What can I say? It seems like we all agree that we need more of this in our diet. In my opinion, I think this is one of the areas where WW may fall short. High-protein items are usually higher in calories, and sometimes fat ~ so they end up costing WWers a lot of points ~ and are sometimes avoided as a result. That’s just been my personal experience, at least.

e) Teacherwoman asked me for some clarification on the nutrition *equation* so I’ll try to relay it the best I can. Basically, I was told that you need (on a daily basis) 1g of protein, and 1g of carbohydrate for every pound of body weight. For me, with a goal weight of 140 pounds, this equals 140g of protein and 140g of carb per day. Fat grams, for just about everyone regardless of weight, should stay below 30-35g ~ simply because that is deemed a *healthy* level.

I don’t have the numbers in front of me right now, but then those figures (140g protein, 140g carb and 30g fat) all have a calorie content (I’m sure you could google it and find out the calorie value of 1 carb, 1 protein and 1 fat…and then do the math). Those totals are what make up the total calorie target for the day ~ which for me is at 1420 right now. It is all derived from the protein/carb/fat breakdown that is suitable for your body weight. Hope this makes sense!

I am hoping that I will at least earn a degree in Nutrition after all this is said and done ~ it certainly is an interesting science! The key for me right now is calorie monitoring and exercise. Only good things can come from that eventually, right??

I know you will all be sad, but my nutritional babble will be put on hold for the weekend, as I’m heading out this evening to San Diego to meet up with my family (who have been out there since Sunday!) I come home Monday for a few days, and then head back for some extended vacation. My plan is to eat sensibly, exercise (which will mostly be made up of running) and continue feeling great! Oh yeah, and maybe even come back with a little bit of a tan :P

Eating right makes me feel so much better. (And yeah, the three hour thing works really... it's just getting back on it.) -- I am having lack of sleep body crappiness.

On the protein vs. weight. I heard it was 2.5 g of protein per kg of muscle weight. (No clue how you'd figure that out.) My RMT figured someone "my size"-- (i.e. almost hippo -- def. bigger than you) would need about 120g of protein. (Now he was also a body builder. So keep that in perspective.)I thought this was interesting.

Karen, I am so far behind on reading everyone's blogs, and just wanted to pop over & scan yours to see how you're doing. And Wow, you're doing great! You and I weigh about the same now...keep up your routines and you're gonna pass me by quickie quick. Keep at it sista!

Sounds like you are getting into it and putting a lot of thought into it. These are great signs that you are getting into the zone mentally!! Awesome!

I wish I could get disciplined to do the every 3 hour thing but it seems I don't do portion control very well and end up overeating when I do this method. I have some good days and the scale is showing it but I leave for Scotland on Monday and that is going to be a big challenge.

Who am I?

A 30-something, mother of two great boys.....trying like mad to become a runner! In the past couple years, I've completed a couple 5K races, a 12K and 5 Half-Marathons. Every day I am working to improve my running...and attempting to drop the last few pounds that refuse to vacate the premises :)